State was right to raise historical society grants
In the Friday, Sept. 27, edition of the Butler Eagle we learned that the Butler County Historical Society got a substantial increase in state funding.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission doubled the funding for local museums and historical societies this year, giving out $4 million. That money is vital, and it’s all the more needed because of the effects of inflation on prices over in recent years.
“Everybody got a substantial increase, and that’s extremely timely, because our utility bills have gone up twofold, so it is needed and greatly appreciated,” said Jen Ford, director of the Butler County Historical Society. “That eases the utility bills a bit.”
The society manages three buildings, the Sen. Walter Lowrie Shaw House on Diamond Street, the Little Red School House on Jefferson Street and Cooper Cabin in Winfield Township. The Lowrie house also serves as the main office for the society.
That requires paying for gas, electricity, water, trash pickup and phone service, as well as some utilities at the other sites and insurance for all three locations.
Those costs are unavoidable and have risen sharply the last few years. Support from the commission is essential to literally keeping the lights on, and ensuring the work of the historical society continues.
Its mission is essential to the community, because our history explains how we got to where we are today. The state’s efforts to increase support for local historical societies — Historic Harmony also got a grant of more than $5,000 — are much appreciated.
— JK
